Documentation

Live birth and fetal death records are compiled from birth certificates and spontaneous fetal death reports which are filed with the Department of Health and Senior Services by state law. The birth certificate and spontaneous fetal death systems have been in place in Missouri continuously since 1911, although changes in data items and definitions have taken place over the years.

Missouri cooperates with other states in the exchange of birth and fetal death records. Therefore, data concerning births and fetal deaths for Missouri residents include virtually all Missouri resident births and fetal deaths regardless of where the event took place.

Abortion records are compiled from the Induced Termination of Pregnancy reports which are filed with the Department of Health and Senior Services by state law. The abortion system has been in place in Missouri continuously since 1975, although changes in data items and definitions have taken place over the years.

Missouri cooperates with other states in the exchange of induced termination of pregnancy records. However, Missouri has not received abortion records from Illinois since 1983 and Tennessee since 1997.